Electrical control means



Nov. 7, 1939. I H. A. DOUGLAS ELECTRICAL CONTROL MEANS Filed Oct. 12, 1936 5 Sheets-Sheet l Hams INVNTOR jmm flmw JKTTOQNE s Nov. 7, 1939. H. A. DOUGLAS 2,179,252

ELECTRICAL CONTROL MEANS Filed Oct. 12, 1936 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 11-15:: A. Douala!) lnvim'rom ZA Q ATTORNEYS NOV. 7, 1939. H A DOUGLAS 2,179,252

ELECTRICAL CONTROL MEANS Filed Oct. 12, 1936 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Eldtrs A. Der-514s ATTOiNLYs Nov. 7, 19390 H A. DOUGLAS ELECTRI CAL CONTROL MEANS F'ileci Oct. 12, 1956 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 uaiat AT RN -f Patented Nov 7, 193% STATES eLEo'rRrcAr. coN'rRoL MEANS Harry A. Douglas, Bronson, Mich, assignor to Kingston Products Corporation, a corporation of Indiana Application October 12, 1936, Serial No. 105,189

6 Claims. (Cl. 290-6) This invention relates to electrical control means, more particularly to the type of control means suitable for use with an. automotive vehicle, and the principal object of this invention is to provide new and improved means of this character.

In the drawings accompanying this specification and forming a part of this application, I have shown, for purposes of illustration, several forms which my invention may assume, and in these drawings:

Figure 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of an embodiment of my invention, parts being broken away to better accommodate the view to the sheet,

Figure 2 is a sectional view similar to Figure 1, but showing the parts of the embodiment in a diiierent relation,

Figure 3 is a longitudinal sectional view correspending substantially to the line 3-3 of Figure 1,

Figure 4 is a transverse sectional view corresponding substantially to the line 1-4 of Figure 1, and showing, in addition, a plug conductor terminal adapted to cooperate with one of the contact means carried by the switch base,

Figure 5 is a fragmentary sectional view corresponding substantially to the line 55 of Figure 4,

0 Figure 6 is a disassembled perspective view of the parts comprising the embodiment of the invention shown in Figures 1 through 5,

Figure '7 is a perspective view of the support shown in Figure 6, as viewed from the other side,

Figure8 is a perspective view of the bridge carrying means shown in Figure 6, as viewed from the other side,

Figure 9 is a fragmentary longitudinal sectional view disclosing a different embodiment of my invention,

Figure 10 is a longitudinal sectional view corresponding substantially to the line I0lt of Figure 9,

Figure 11 is a sectional view, similar to Figure 1, but showing a difierent embodiment of my invention.

Figure 12 is a sectional view corresponding substantially to the line l?-l2 of Figure 11,

Figure 13 shows, in perspective, parts of the switch structure shown in Figures 11 and 12,

Figure 14 is a sectional view, similar to Figure 1, but showing still another embodiment of my invention,

Figure 15 is a transverse sectional view corresponding substantially to the line 15-45 of Figure 14,

Figure 16 is a fragmentary sectional view corresponding substantially to the line iii-i6 of Figure 15,

Figure 1'7 shows, in perspective, parts of the switch structure shown in Figures 14 through 16, and

Figure 18 discloses an electrical circuit diagram. 10

The embodiment of the invention shown in Figures 1 through 8, comprises an oblong generally plane plate 05, which is provided with apertures it at its longitudinal extremities, to provide for the attachment of the plate G5 to a suitable 15 support, as for instance a part of an automotive vehicle. Formed on the longitudinal axis of the plate i5 is an elongated slot Ill, one longitudinal margin of the slot being provided with an arcuate recess lift, as best shown in Figure 6. 20 Spaced from the longitudinal margins of the slot ll are arcuate slots i9, and spaced from the transverse margins of the slot ll are apertures 20, each of the apertures Zil communicating with a recessed well portion it formed in the upper 25 surface of the plate 05. I

A housing or casing 22 is adapted for securement to the plate iii, the housing 22, as shown in Figure 6, being preferably formedoi a single piece of sheet metal and generally box shaped. 36 The housing 22 is provided with a front wall 23, relatively narrowside walls 24 formed by bending inwardly extensions of the wall 23, and an end wall 25, the latter wall having extremities upwardly bent as shown at 26 to overlap an adja- 35 cent portion of the side walls 24. The end wall 25 is also formed with a generally T-shaped slot 21! for a purpose that will hereinafter appear. The front wall 23, substantially near its central portion, 'is provided with an extruded tubular 40 part 28, and adjacent the upper extremity of the front wall 23 is an outwardly pressed rectangularly shaped chamber portion 29. Each of the" upper extremities of the side walls 24 is provided with an extending ear 30. One of the free longitudinal margins of the side walls 24 is provided with a relatively narrow extension 3i which has a reduced tapered ear 32, and the other side wall 24 is provided with a Wider extension33 having two ears 34 integrally formed therewith. 5o

Cooperable with the housing 22, and adapted to close ofi'the open side of the housing opposite the front wall 23, is a supporting member 35, formed of suitable insulating material, and provided Substantially at its central portion with a transversely extending circular recess 36. Disposed about the recess 36 are a plurality of apertures 31, here shown to be three in number. As viewed in Figures 6 and 7, one of the apertures 31 is disposed on one side of the longitudinal axis of the supporting member 35, and the other of the apertures 31 are spaced apart and are disposed on the opposite side of the longitudinal axis. Each of the apertures 31 is in part formed with 0 rectangular outline, as shown at 38, and the remainder of each aperture 31 is formed as a circular well 39 countersinking the rectangular portion 38.

Fitting within each of the apertures 31 is a contact means 49, which is substantially similar to the contact means described in detail in my copending application, Serial Number 51,069, filed November 22, 1935, and a brief description here is believed to be suificient. As best shown in Figures 4 and 6, each of the contact means 40 comprises a tubular body portion 4| preferably formed of sheet metal, having an integral loop 42 at one end, and outwardly extending flanges 43 at the other end, this latter end constituting the open end of the tubular body portion. The open end of the tubular body portion 4| is spanned by a generally circular contact head 44, the contact'head having a peripheral flange adapted to be clinched over the flanges43 of the body portion 4|, as shown at 45. Before the contact head 44 is secured to the body portion 4|, a detent means 46 and a spring 41 are inserted within the tubular body portion 4|, the detent means 46 being slidable within the body portion and having a protuberance projecting into the aperture formed by the loop 42, and movement pf the detent means 46 in the direction of the aperture being limited by abutment with shoulders formed on the body portion 4|. The spring 41 is interposed between 4 the detent means 46 and the inner adjacent surface of the contact head 4, the purpose of the spring 41 being to urge the detent means 46 toward operative position with respect to the aperture formed by the looped portion 42. It will be appreciated that the cross-sectional outline of the tubular body portion 4| closely fits the rectangular portion 38 of any one of the apertures 31. A spring 48 is slipped over the body portion 4|, the spring 48 being of a size so that one end bears against the shoulder formed by the clinched over periphery of the contact head 44, and the opposite end bears against the bottom of the well portion 39, when the contact means 40 is assembled with the supporting member 35 as shown in Figure 4.

As best shown in Figures 6 and 7, one margin of the supporting member 35 is provided with a recess 49 which communicates with an undercut poriton 5|] formed in the outer surface of the (50 supporting member 35. The term outer surface is used to designate the surface of the supporting member which will be facing outwardly when the supporting member 35 is properly assembled with the housing 22, and it is the surface hidden in Figure 6, and seen in Figure 7. The opposite margin of the supporting member 35 is provided with a recess 5| somewhat greater in extent than the recess 49, the ends of the recess 5| communicating with two undercut partions 52 formed in the outer surface of the supporting member 35. The inner surface of the supporting member 35 is provided with a rabbet so as to form a shoulder 53 about the perimeter thereof, the size of the inner surface fitting close- 5 ly within theopen end of the housing 22, and the shoulder 53 being adapted to abut the margins defining the open end of the housing 22.

An actuated member 54 is disposed within the housing 22, the actuated member 54 being generally oblong, and having a central tubular stud 55, here shown to be extruded from the actuated member 54, the stud being of a size to fit within the tubular bearing portion 28 formed in the front wall 23 of the housing 22, so that the member 54 may rotate about the stud 55. The transverse margins of the actuated member 54 are provided with recesses 56 and 51, and as here shown, the recess 56 is larger than the recess 51. The longitudinal margins of the actuated member 54 are also recessed, and as shown in Figure 6 the top surface is recessed to provide a generally inverted V-shaped cam surface 58, the extremities of the cam surface 58 merging with inwardly extending surfaces 59 leading from the longitudinal margins. The junction of the V-shaped cam surfaces 58 with each of the inwardly extending surfaces 59 is rather abrupt to form limiting portions 60 for the cam surfaces 58. The bottom longitudinal margin of the member 54 is also recessed, and as best shown in Figures 1, 2, and 6, the longitudinal margins have inwardly directed angular portions 6| extending to the margins of an outwardly projecting generally V-shaped projection 62, the apex of the projection being off-center with respect to the central axis (shown in dot-dash lines in Figure 2) of the actuated member 54, for a purpose laterto appear.

Carried by the actuated member 54 is a block 63, adapted to carry a bridge means. The block 63 may be formed of suitable insulating material, and the surface adjacent the actuated member 54 is provided with extending lugs 64 and 65, these lugs being substantially the same shape and size as the recesses 56 and 51 respectively of the actuated member 54, and are offset with respect to the longitudinal axis of the carrier block 63, so that the block 63 and the actuated member 54 can be assembled in only one relation. Each of the lugs 64 and 65 is provided with a recessed portion 66, as best shown in Figure 6. The surface of the block 63, adjacent the actuated member 54, is provided with an undercut portion 61 extending transversely of the block 63, the portion 61 having angular defining r margins as shown at 68. The surface opposite to that contacted by the actuated member 54 is recessed as shown at 69, various parts of the recess 69 being disposed agularly with respect to other parts of the recess 69, as shown in Figure 8, and extending centrally from this opposite surface of the block 63, is a cylindrical projection 10, here shown to be formed integral with the block 63. Arranged on opposite sides of the projection 10 are pairs of inwardly tapering recesses 1| and 12, each pair being spaced apart on opposite sides of the longitudinal axis of the block 63, the recesses 1| being spaced farther apart than the recesses 12.

- Carried by the block 63 is a bridge member 13, which is generally oblong in shape, but is provided with recesses in its margins, the recesses being suitably placed so that the bridge member 13 will fit within the recess portion 69 in only one position, and when in position, the outer surface of the bridge member 13 will be substantially flush with the outer surface of the block 63. Each of the transverse margins of the bridge member 13 is provided with an angularly extending finger 14 which is adapted to have its extremity clinched over the bottom of the respective recess 66 formed in the lug portions 84 and 85 of the carrier block 63. Formed centrally of the bridge member 13 is an aperture 15 adapted to pass the projection 18 formed on the carrier block 83, and the bridge member H3 is further provided with pairs of inwardly pressed generally circular depressions l8 and 17 which correspond to the recesses H and 12 respectively formed in the carrier block 53, the depressions l6 and ill, when the bridge member 73 is assembled with the block 63, having portions thereof respectively disposed within the recesses H and i2, as best shown in Figure 4.

15 Adapted to extend upwardly from the plate [15 is a generally cylindrical tubular member l8, having ear portions 19 extending from the lower margin thereof, the ear portions being adapted to pass through the arcuate slots I9 formed in the plate 20 I5, and the extremities of the ears I9 being clinchable over the under surface of the plate l5. An actuating member 88 is arranged to extend through the interior of the cylindrical member I8, and through the apertures ll and 2?, formed respectively in the plate l5 and the housing 22. The actuating member 80, spaced from its lower end, is provided with a struck-out finger 8 l which is angularly disposed with respect to the longitudinal axis of the member 88, the finger 8| having an inverted V-shaped operating surface, the apex of which is generally in alignment with the longitudinal axis of the member 88. Adjacent the lower end of the actuating member 80, and spaced from the finger 8|, is a second finger 82,

also preferably struck-out from the member 88.

At its upper end, the actuating member 88 is provided with integral oppositely extending shoulder portions 83, and a reduced ear intermediate the shoulder portions.

Intermediate the ends of the actuating member 88 is a pivot member 84, here shown to be extruded from the surface of the actuating member 80, and providing a pivot for a pawl 85. The pawl -85 is formed to have a rounded surface 86 5 and a tapering finger 81.

tively narrow with respect to the rounded portion 86 to' form shoulders 88, the shoulders 88 being somewhat wider than the rounded portion 85 and merging with the rounded portion 86 by means of curved surfaces 89, The finger 87, adjacent the shoulders 88, is provided with an extruded generally hemispherical protuberance 98, which is adapted to cooperate with a trough 9| formed in a generally oblong leaf spring 82,

the leaf spring 92 being disposable in the extended chamber portion 29 of the housing 22. Disposed about the actuating member.88 is a helical coil spring 93, and secured to the upper end-of the actuating member 88 is a cylindrical cap 94, provided with an aperture 95 in its closure wall, through which extends the ear formed in termediate the shoulder portions 83 of the actuating member 88, and the extremity of the ear is upset over the outer surface of the closure wall of 36 the cap 94, the oppositely extending shoulder portions 83 of the actuating member 88 bearing against the inner surface of the closure wall of the cap 94.

The parts of the electrical switching device shown in Figure 6 may be assembled in any desired relation, and when in assembled relation, as shown in Figures 1 through 5, the actuated member 54 has its tubular stud 55 journalled within the bearing portion 28, and the actuating member 88, carrying the pawl 851' is arranged so that a The finger 87 is relaportion of the member so is disposed within the space provided by the undercut portion 6! of the actuated member 54), the angular defining margins 68 of the undercut portion 8? providing for movement of the oscillatable parts. The arcuate 5 recess l in the slot ll! of the plate i5 provides clearance for the protuberance 98 formed in the pawl 85. The bridge carrying block 63 has its cylindrical projection l8 journalled within the recess 88 in the supporting member 35, and the 10 supporting member is secured to the casing 22 by clinching the fingers 32 and 34 of the extended portions 3! and 38, so that the extremities of the fingers lie in the undercut portions 58 and 52 in the outer surface of the supporting member 15 35. The extremities of the ears 30 of the housing 22 are clinched over the bottom of the recessed well portions 29 formed in the top surface of the plate l5, and the leaf spring 82 is disposed in proper position in the rectangularly spaced charn- 20 ber portion 29. The ears iii of the tubular member l8 project through the arcuate slots 19 and are bent to overlie the under surface of the plate l5, a recess being provided in the top margin (Figure 6) of the supporting member 35 to accom- 25 modate one of the clinched over ears 19, as best shown in Figure 3.

The finger 82, in some instances, may be bent to its position shown in Figure 3 after the parts are assembled, so as to be in line to engage the so outer surface of the lower wall 25 of the housing 22. It is possible, however, to properly form the switch construction so that the finger 82 may be bent before the member 88 has been assembled with its related parts. As shown in Figures 1 5 and 3, the fingers 8i and 82 have been spaced so that the finger 82 engages the wall 25 to limit the outward movement of the actuating member 88 before the finger 8! reaches the innermost part of the notch provided by either one of the 40 margins of the V-shaped projections 62 and the adjacent angular portion 5!. By reason of this construction, substantially all strain is taken up by the finger 82. The finger BI, and the projection 82 formed on the actuated member 54, have 45 been constructed and arranged so that the parts or switching mechanism cannot bind or stop on dead-center. Therefore, the parts of the switching device are always in operative relation to be moved from one position of the switch to 50 the other position.

Referring to Figure 5, it will be noticed that the contact means 88, for purposes of identification, have been lettered 18a, designating the contact on one side of the pivot, and 40b and 480 55 designating the contacts on the other side or" the pivot, the contact 48a being in engagement with either one of the two depressions T! in the various positions of the switch, the contact 4% being engageable with the top depression 16 (Figure 5) so in one position of the switch, and the contact 580 being engageable with the lower depression 18 in the other position of the switch. Assuming that the parts of the switching device are in the position shown in Figures 1, 3, 4, and 5, the '65 actuating mechanism 88, when depressed as by force applied by an operator, carries the pawl toward the cam surface 58 formed on the actuated member 58, it being appreciated that the leaf spring 82 yieldably resists any swinging 7o movement of the pawl 85 until the finger ill of the pawl 85 engages the adjacent part of the cam surface 58, whereupon the pawl 85 will be moved about the pivot 88 until the extremity of the finger 81! is disposed adjacent the limiting portion 75 4- arraase 60 of the engaged part of the cam surface 58, whereupon further movement of the actuating member 80 will cause the actuated member to swing about its pivot 55, and the carrier block 5 63 will swing about its pivot I0, this swinging movement causing a cam action between the protruding part of the contact head 44 of the contacts 40a and 40b, and the surfaces adjacent the engaged upper depressions l6 and I1 (Figure 5),

'10 so that the contacts 40a and 60b will be moved transversely of the supporting member 35 and against the urging force of the respective springs 48, and further movement of the actuated member 54 will register the lower depressions IE3 and 5 I'll (Figure 5) with the protruding part of the contact heads 44 of the contact means 40a and 400 respectively. When this registry has been effected, these protruding portions will snap into the recesses and 11, thereby causing the switching operation to be performed with a generally snap action. After the switching operation, the pressure from the actuating member 80 is released, and the spring 93 urges the actuating member 80 to return to the normal posi- .tion shown in Figure 1, the transverse margins of the slot ll engaging the rounded portions :3 of the shoulders 08 of the pawl 85, and relative movement therebetween will cam the pawl to the original position shown in Figure 1, whereby the protuberance 90 of the pawl 85 will again be disposed within the trough iii of the leaf spring 92. In this position the apex of the cam surface 58 is disposed on the other side of the longitudinal line of movement of the actuating member 80, and downward movement of the actuatin member 80 will cause the finger of the pawl 85 to engage the other portion of the cam surface 58 to cause movement of the switch parts in an opposite direction. It will be appreciated that inward movement of the actuating member 80 will be limited by engagement between the free extremity of the tubular member I8 and the inner surface of the closure wall of the cap 94, as shown in Figure 2, while outward movement of the ac- 5 tuating member 80 is limited by engagement between the outwardly bent finger 82 and the outer surface of the lower wall 25 of the housing 22, the finger BI and projection 62 being primarily for the purpose of preventing the switching parts from stopping on dead-center.

Electrical conductors provided with plug terminals of the snap type, as shown at $6 in Figure 4, may be disposed within the apertures formed by the loop 42 of each of the contact means 40, the plug terminal 96 being held in place by the detent means 46. Referring to Figure 5, it will be obvious that in one position of the switching mechanism, the circuit will include the contact means 40a and the contact means 401), as shown, and in the other position of the switch the circuit will include the contact means 40a and the contact means 400.

Referring to the embodiment of the invention shown in Figures 9 and 10, different means are provided to return the pawl to its normal operative position, and as here shown a pawl Q? is pivoted to an actuating member 98, the latter member being somewhat similar to the actuating member 80 hereinbefore described. The pawl 91, in this instance, is provided with an operating finger 99 on one side of the pivot, and an extending ear I00 on the other side of the pivot, the ear I00 being apertured as shown at I01. As best shown in Figure 10, the actuating member 98 is provided with an offset portion I02,

and adjacent its upper extremity, the actuating member 98 is apertured as shown at I03, and a coil spring I04 has its ends respectively secured to the actuating member at the aperture I03, and to the pawl 91 at the aperture IOI, the tension 5 of the coil spring l04 normally urging the pawl 91 to the operative position shown in Figure 9. The pawl 91 may cooperate with an actuated member-similar to the actuated member 54 hereinbefore described, and operation of the con- 10 struction shown in Figures 9 and 10 in combination with the remainder of the switching mechanism will be substantially similar to that described in connection with the embodiment disclosed in. Figures 1 through 8. 5

Referring to Figures 11 through 13, the embodiment of the invention therein disclosed comprises a switch structure in some respects simi lar to the structure shown in Figures 1 through 8. In this instance a supporting member I0I, bridge carrying block I08, and bridge means I09 are provided, these parts being somewhat similar to the support 35, bridge carrying block 63, and bridge means 13. However, as best shown in Figures 12 and 13, the bridge carrying block I08 15.25 not provided with a cylindrical projection, as is the case with the block 63 hereinbefore described. Therefore the bridge means I09, and the supporting member I01 are respectively formed without the aperture and recess necessary to a0- 30 commodate such projection. As before, an actuated member I I0, similar to the actuated member 54, forms part of the switch structure, the actuated member H0 being provided with a stud i ll adapted to be journalled in an extruded poi" 35 tion H2 formed, as before, on one wall of a housing II3, the housing II3 being similar to the housing 22 hereinbefore described. Contact means H4 are carried by the supporting member I01 in a manner similar to that described in 40 the embodiment shown in Figures 1 through 8.

With the parts of the embodiment shown in Figures 11 through 13 assembled, and referring particularly to Figure 12, it will be noted that the bridge means I09, bridge carrying block I08, and actuated member IIO are all carried by the stud l I I which is journalled in the extruded portion H2 formed on the wall of the housing H3. The supporting member I0I, carrying the contacts H4, is assembled with the housing H3, in a manner similar to that described in the embodiment of Figures 1 through 8, the urging force of the springs (not shown) surrounding each of the contacts II4, tending to maintain proper rela tion of the oscillatable parts with respect to each other, and with respect to the bearing I I2 formed in the wall of the housing II3.

Oscillation of the parts of the switch are effected, as before, by an actuating member II5, similar to the actuating member 80, and in a 60 manner hereinbefore described. The actuated member H0 is provided with a V-shaped projection HE. similar to the projection 62, and the actuating member H5 is provided with a struckout finger IlI similar to the finger 8|. However, 65 in this embodiment, the lower wall of the housing MS is not provided with an aperture, and the actuating member H5 and the housing 3 are proportioned sov that the actuating member H5, in its lowermost position, stops short of engage- 7 ment with the inner surface of the lower wall of the housing H3, as shown in dotted lines in Figures 11 and 12. In this instance, the projection l 56 and the finger III are constructed and arranged to prevent dead-center stopping of the ,75

switch parts, and the finger EEE, by reason of its engagement with surfaces of the actuated member EEG adjacent the projection EEG, limits outward movement of the actuating member EE5. As before, inward movement of the actuating member Eli-l is limited by abutment of the inner surface of the closure wall of a cap EEEl with a tubular member EEE), the parts Md and E E?) being similar to the cap 9 3 and tubular member E8, described in the embodiment shown in Figures 1 through 8. In some cases it might be desirable to limit inward movement of the actuating member EE5 by abutment of the lower end of the actuating member M5 with the inner surface of the lower wall of the housing EES.

Referring to Figures 14 through 17, the embodiment of the invention therein disclosed comprises a switch structure quite similar to the structure shown in Figures 1 through 8, but in this ingqy stance a supporting member E2El is provided, having a central aperture EZE, and a plurality of apertures E22 disposed about the aperture E2 E, the apertures EZE and E22 being configured similar to the apertures 3E hereinbefore described. An actuated member E23, similar to the actuated member 54 is formed with a stud EM, which is journalled in a bearingEZd in a wall of the housing E26, the housing E26 being similar to the housing 22. The transverse margins of the actuated member E23 are provided with recesses of unequal size, as before, the recesses being adapted to receive correspondingly configured bosses E2 formed on a bridge carrying block E28. On the surface opposite the bosses EZE, the block E28 is provided with a fan-shaped slot E29, the surface intermediate the margins of the slot being provided with a centrally inwardly tapering recess E3@, and a plurality of similar inwardly tapering recesses ESE are disposed about the recess ESEE, the number of recesses I3E corresponding to the number of apertures I22. A bridge means E32 is shaped to close- 1y fit the defining margins of the slot E29, and is provided with a central depression E33, and a plurality of depressions I34 disposed about the depression E33, the depressions E33 and E363 being constructed and arranged to fit respectively within the recesses I30 and E3E, when the bridge means I32 is assembled with the carrier block E28, in a manner best illustrated in Figure 15.

Carried in the recesses E2E and E22 of the supporting member 120, are a plurality of contact terminals E35, in a manner similar to that described in Figures 1 through 8, the contact carried by the central aperture EZE engaging :with the centrally located recess E33 of the bridge means E32, and this contact is always in engagement with the bridge means E82, and provides in some respects a pivot axially in alignment with the pivot provided by the stud EM. In this particular instance four recesses E22 are provided to accommodate a like number of contact'terminals E35, pairs of contacts E35 being disposed on opposite sides of the longitudinal axis of the support E20, as best shown in Figure 16, and the bridge means E32 .is oscillated by means of mechanism similar to that described in Figures 1 through 8, to engage and bridge the contact terminals E35 which are diametrically disposed.

As best shown in Figure 17 the lower apertures E22--alre disposed at an angle with respect to the remaining apertures, so as to facilitate the-insertion of plug conductor terminals, similar to the plug conductor terminal 96 hereinbefore described, in the loop portion of all of the contact terminals E35.

In Figure 18 is shown an electrical circuit diagram which may be used with the switches hereinbefore described. Referring particularly to this figure, an electric switch E36 is provided, this switch having contacts Efi'l, E38, E39, and E li and as here shown, the contact Edd is centrally located and the contacts E37, E38, and E39 are disposed radially about the contact E EEE. The contact Eii'E is connected to a source of current supply, such as a battery ME, and as is customary in the art, one terminal of the battery is connected to the contact EB'E, and the other terminal of the battery is grounded as shown at E42. The contact EEG is connected to one end of a resistance M3, which may be the filament of a tail lamp, the other end of the filament is grounded as shown at E41 1. The contact E38 is connected by a conductor E45 to one end of a pair of resistances E EEi, which may be the filaments of a pair of parking lamps, the other end of the resistances E 16 being grounded as shown at ME. The contact E39 is connected by means of a conductor Mil to the center contact E 39 of an electric switch E5El.

The switch E50 may take the form shown in Figures 14 through 17, or the switch shown in Figures 1 through 8 or 11 through 13 may be used, it being appreciated that the switches would be constructed and arranged to perform the functions desired. As shown in Figure 18, the electric switch EEiEl has four contacts EEE, E52, E53, and E5 1 spaced radially about the center contact E59,

and suitable bridge means, such as the bridge means E32 hereinbefore referred to, may be used to continuously engage the contact E49 and selectively bridge either the contacts E5E-E53, or the contacts E52-E5Q. The-contacts E5E and E53 are connected by conductors E55 to one end of resistances E56, which may be the tilt or dim filaments of an automobile headlight, the other end of the resistances E56 being grounded as shown at ESEQ The contacts E52 and E54 are connected by conductors E58 to one end of resistances E59, which may be the bright filaments of an automobile headlamp, the other end of the resistances ESE! being grounded as shown at E60.

A signalling device E6E is connected by means of conductors E62 and E63 to the contacts E5E, E52 respectively, and a signalling device ESE is connected by means of conductors E65, E66 to the contacts E53, Edd respectively. The signalling de- 7 vices EtE and E6 3 may take the form of electric lamps having low candle power. and a high electrical resistance. In use with automotive vehicles, the signalling devices, EEBE and E64 would be desirably located so as to be conveniently visible to the operator of the vehicle. I

With the parts electrically connected as described, a suitable bridge means (not shown) may be used to connect the contact E8? with the contact E lEE, to thereby energize the tail light filament E li] only. The bridge means may also be constructed and arranged to bridge the contacts ESE, E38, and 'E iEl, so that the tail lamp E43 and the parking lamp filaments HEB are energized, and in another position, the bridge means may be arranged to bridge the contacts ESE, Mid, and ESQ, so that the tail lamp filament E ltl is energized, and the center contact N9 of the switch EEEEE receives electrical energy. Assuming, now, that the bridge of the switch E50 engages the contacts ESE and E58, current will flow through the conductors E55, and through the tilt or dim filaments E56 to the ground, and the filaments E55 will be normally energized to provide light. Simultaneously, with the bridge means crossing the contacts llil and I53, current will flow from the contact l5l through the conductor Q62, the Signalling device l6l, the conductor E83, contact I152, conductor W3, and through the bright filmement l 59 to the ground, thus completing a circuit and energizing the signalling device ifil, but the current flowing through the bridge filament 1155] being insuificient to normally light this filament. At the same time current will flow from the contact i53 through the conductor i655, signalling device 54, conductor l66, contact E56, conductor M8, the bright filament I59 of the other lamp, and to the ground I60, completing a circuit and energizing the signalling device liil, and as before, the current flowing through the bright filament i159 being insufiicient to normahy light this filament. If one or the other of the bright filaments H59 were broken, or not properly connected, the signalling device in the circuit broken would not be energized, and therefore a warning would be given that the particular bright fila-= ment is not in working order.

When the bridge means engages the contacts 052415 3, the conductors i553 carry current through the bright filaments tall and to the ground Mid, and the filaments ldl'l will be normally energized to provide light. With this arrangement of the bridge means, and referring to the contact 1152, current is carried through the conductor i653, through the signalling device fltl, the conductor lttl, the contact lbi, the conductor l55, through the tilt or dim filament i585, and to the ground new, and the signalling device lBl will be energized, but the current flowing through the filament I56 will be insufficient to normally light this filament. Referring to the contact 3, current is carried through the conductor ltd, the signalling device Mi l, the conductor H65, the con tact I53, the conductor i55, the tilt or dim filement 5%, and to the ground H57, and the signalling device !64 is energized, thecurrent passing through the filament I56, as before, being insuficient to normally light this filament. Now, it will be obvious, that if either one of the tilt or dim filaments I56 should be broken, or improperly connected, the signallingdevice located in the circuit that is broken would be deenergized, and a warning would be given in this manner,

From the foregoing it will be obvious that when the bridge means of the switch i541 is connected to normally energize the tilt .or dim filaments 655, the signalling devices Hill and Q64 are respectively connected in a circuit with each of the bright filaments H59, these circuits being in parallel with the circuits including the dim filaments 556.

Should either one of the bright filaments l59 become disconnected or broken, the signalling device in the particular circuit that is broken would immediately become deenergized, and thereby serve as a warning. the other hand, if? the bridge means of the switch means tilt is connected to normally energize the bright filaments ltd, the signalling devices lBl and 36d are respectiveiy connected in a circuit with each of the tilt filaments H56, these circuits being in parallel with the circuits including the bright filaments i539. Should either one of the filaments I156 become broken or disconnected, the signalling device in the particular circuit that is broken a vance the tilt or bright filaments H56 and i 59 are energized.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that I have accomplished at least the principal object of my invention, and it also will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the embodiments herein described may be variously changed and modified, without departing from the spirit of the invention, and that the invention is capable of uses and has advantages not herein specifically described; hence it will be appreciated that the herein disclosed embodiments are illustrative only, and that my invention is not limited thereto.

I claim:

1. Electric switching mechanism, comprising: supporting means; actuated means, bridge means secured to and movable with said actuated means relative to said supporting means in a plane generally parallel to the plane including said supporting means; contact means carried by and elitending transversely from said supporting means, and adapted to be engaged by said bridge means; and generally rectilinearly movable means movable between said bridge means and said actuated means for eiiecting movement of said bridge means.

2. Electric switching mechanism, comprising: supporting means; actuated means; bridge means secured to and movable with said actuated means relative to said supporting means in the operation of said switch; contact means carried by said supporting means so that the axes of said contact means intersect a plane including the bridge means, and in certain positions of the switching mechanism said contact means are adapted to be engaged by said bridge means; and generally rectilinearly movable means movable between said bridge means and said actuated means for effecting movement of said bridge means.

3. Electric switching mechanism, comprising: supporting means; actuated means; oscillatable bridge means secured to and movable with said actuated means relative to said supporting means in a plane generally parallel to the plane includ ing said supporting means; contact means carried by and extending transversely from said supporting means, and adapted to be engaged by said bridge means; and actuating means for effecting movement of said bridge means, said actuating means being confined between said bridge means and said actuated means for planar movement substantially parallel to the plane including the movement of said bridge means.

4. Electric switching mechanism, comprising: supporting means; actuated means; bridge means secured to and movable with said actuated means relative to said supporting means in the operation of said switch; contact means carried by said supporting means, in ofi-center relation, and adapted to be engaged by said bridge means, at least one of said contact means being in engagement with said bridge means in all operative positions of the switching mechanism, and the other contact means being selectively engageable with respect to said bridge means; and actuating means for eilecting movement of said bridge means, said actuating means being confined to generally planar movement between said bridge means and said actuated means.

5. Electric switching mechanism, comprising: a casing; supporting means; actuated means; bridge means secured to and movable with said actuated means in a plane generally parallel to the plane including said supporting means;

aivaasa contact means; bridge means, movable relative to and adapted to engage said contact means; carrier means, for carrying said bridge means; actuated means, operatively connected to said carrier means for eflecting movement of said bridge means, said actuated means and said carrier means having adjacent'surfaces in spaced relation; and actuating means for efiecting movement of said actuated means, said actuating means being movable within the spaced adjacent surfaces of said actuated means and said carrier 10 means.

HARRY A. DOUGLAS. 

